Russell Crowe Gets Help From A Canuck

Although his band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts bit the dust recently, Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe still intends to carry on with his music career. This time around he'll opt for a solo outing, with a little help from some of Canada's most celebrate musicians. Great Big Sea frontman Alan Doyle has played a big part in the making of the upcoming album (tentatively titled "My Hand My Heart"), playing both producer and songwriter.

Doyle's band mates Sean McCann and Bob Hallett also helped out in the studio, with Crowe meeting the Great Big Sea members after a Toronto concert last year. Doyle and Crowe have great respect for one another as artists, and it sounds as if the pair had a rip-roaring time working on songs like first single "Raewyn", and four other tracks including a cover of GBS tune "How Did I Get From Saying I Love You".

"We spent a fair bit of time clowning around or sharing stories of our homes in Newfoundland or Australia and New Zealand," says Doyle of recording with Crowe. "That said, I have never met a man more dedicated to his art, whether it be acting or music. Great Big Sea has not stopped working for 12 years, but Russell Crowe works harder than anyone I've ever known."

It seems Crowe shares similar sentiments for Doyle: "Alan Doyle is the first magical musical collaboration I have ever experienced. We had the type of synergy I have experienced with other actors or directors, but which has always eluded me in music."